State resists attempt to move murder trial

Wednesday

Feb 29, 2012 at 8:49 AMFeb 29, 2012 at 8:52 AM

The Story County Attorney's Office filed paperwork this week opposing an attempt to move the murder trial of Jackie Burkle, a Huxley woman accused of killing her twin girls shortly after giving birth to them.

The Story County Attorney’s Office filed paperwork this week opposing an attempt to move the murder trial of Jackie Burkle, a Huxley woman accused of killing her twin girls shortly after giving birth to them.

County Attorney Stephen Holmes filed the papers in response to a move by Burkle’s court-appointed defense team to relocate the trial due to the publicity surrounding the case.

Holmes said that while there has been a large amount of coverage, the defense has not provided any evidence that it has resulted in an inability for Burkle to receive a fair and impartial trial.

Holmes said a large amount of media coverage does not, in and of itself, allow for a venue change, and that there has been no allegation of inaccurate or inflammatory reporting.

In response, District Court Judge Michael Moon has called for a hearing at 2 p.m. Friday, March 9, for all pending motions in the case. Maria Ruhtenberg, Burkle’s appointed attorney, has also filed motions to extend deposition deadlines in the case.

The investigation into Burkle began on Jan. 7, after the Huxley Police Department was asked to do a welfare check on Burkle by her co-workers at a north-side Casey’s General Store. According to a spokesperson for the company, Burkle’s co-workers noted a dramatic change in her appearance between Jan. 5, when she’d left work, and Jan. 7, when she was seen again.

Huxley police officers located her and took her to a hospital. While there, they asked her to take a test to determine whether or not she was or had been pregnant. She agreed, and the test came back positive.

It was at that point, police said, that Burkle allegedly confessed to giving birth to twin girls, and that their bodies could be found in the trunk of her car.

First-responders found the two girls where Burkle said they would be. Both were deceased.

Burkle allegedly later admitted during a further interview that she’d intentionally killed the two infants and that she was “not at any time intending that they would live.”

She was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held at the Story County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Burkle’s trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, in Nevada. She has pleaded not guilt to the charges.

Luke Jennett can be reached at (515) 663-6919 or ljennett@amestrib.com.

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